2020 will mark the fourth time in franchise history that the Cincinnati Bengals hold the first overall pick in the NFL Draft next Thursday. The choice seems obvious, as the Bengals are expected to take Heisman trophy winning QB Joe Burrow from LSU.
Let’s take a quick look at the first first overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1994 draft. It was a defensive tackle by the name “Big Daddy” Dan Wilkinson out of Ohio State. He was said to be the best defensive line prospect since Reggie White in 1985. Wilkinson held out for eleven days before signing a six year, $14.4 million rookie contract, making him the highest paid player in franchise history. Dan played four seasons in Cincy, setting his career high in sacks with 8 in the 1995 season. Those 8 sacks led all interior linemen that year and was the most by a Bengals interior linemen since 1972. After the 1997 season, Wilkinson and Bengals ownership had a dispute after they placed the franchise tag on him. That, coupled with him calling Cincy a racist city whose residents were uptight, prejudiced and stiff, led the Bengals to trade him to the Redskins.
| Summary | G | AV | SK | Solo | FF |
| Career | 195 | 80 | 54.5 | 302 | 6 |
It was a rather bittersweet ending to his time in Cincinnati for such a talented player. He would play 5 seasons in Washington, then after being released, he played 3 seasons with the Lions, and finally 1 season with the Dolphins.
Next we will take a look at the Bengals’ second first overall pick in Ki-Jana Carter from the 1995 draft. That will be followed up by the 2003 selection of Carson Palmer and conclude with a look at Joe Burrow.
References:
- Wilkinson apologizes to Cincinnati for ‘racist’ comment – https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2259377